William Jackson Jones Most Eminent Past Grand Master

William Jackson Jones Most Eminent Past Grand Master Grand Encampment of Knights Templar

Sir Knight William Jackson Jones was born on March 12, 1939, in Tuscola, Illinois. He attended high school in Villa Grove, Illinois, at Villa Grove High School. He went on to the University of Illinois for his B.S. in 1961, and he received his D.D.S. there in 1964.

He married Lois A. Robinson at Tolono, Illinois, on December 10, 1967, and they had two children, Philip and Jane; one son-in-law; one daughter-in-law; and one granddaughter. Sir Knight Jones resided in Villa Grove, Illinois, where he practiced dentistry for over fifty years.

Sir Knight Jones held numerous civic positions, including serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Villa Grove Chamber of Commerce; Board of Directors, American Heart Association, Illinois Affiliate; Villa Grove Schools Citizens Consulting Committee; Board of Directors for Villa Grove Community Theater; and president of the Eastern Illinois Dental Society.

Masonically, Sir Knight Jones was raised in Villa Grove Lodge 885, Villa Grove, Illinois, in September of 1960, where he has served as worshipful master. In the York Rite, he was a member of Tuscola Chapter 66, in Tuscola, Illinois, where he served as high priest. He was a member of the Order of High Priesthood. He was a member of Mattoon Council 10, Mattoon, Illinois, where he served as thrice illustrious master. He was created a Knight Templar on December 1, 1969, in Melita Commandery 37, Tuscola, Illinois, where he served as commander in 1972 and 1977. He was a member and past preceptor of Lily of the Valley Tabernacle XLVI, HRAKTP. In addition, he served as grand preceptor of the Grand College of America, HRAKTP, in 2001.

Appendant Masonic activities included membership in the Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, the Valley of Danville, Illinois. He was coronated an inspector general honorary of the 33° in 1985. Sir Knight Jones was a member of Ansar Temple, Springfield, Illinois, AAONMS. He belonged to the Knights of the York Cross of Honour and was the recipient of the Order of the Purple Cross in 1988. He was a member of Saxa Rubra Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine and the Royal Order of Scotland. He was an active member of the DeMolay Legion of Honour, a recipient of the Order of Chevalier, and an honorary member of the International Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay. He was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Knight Masons, and the Order of the Amaranth. He served the Grand College of Rites of the United States of America as grand chancellor in 1999.

In the Grand Commandery of Illinois, he ascended the grand line, serving as grand commander in 1984. He was a holder of the Knight Commander of the Temple and the Grand Cross of the Temple.

In the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, he was appointed right eminent department commander of the North Central Department by Donald Hinslea Smith, most eminent grand master on August 13, 1985, in Cincinnati, Ohio; elected right eminent grand captain general on August 20, 1991, in Washington, D.C.; elected right eminent grand generalissimo in August of 1994 in Denver, Colorado; elected right eminent deputy grand master on August 12, 1997, in St. Louis, Missouri; and was elected most eminent grand master of the Grand Encampment on August 16, 2000, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Sir Knight Jones laid down his sword and entered the Supreme Asylum above on Monday, January 31, 2022.

22 april 2022